In the heart of Catania, in the Civita neighbourhood, stands Palazzo Biscari, the most important noble palazzo in the city and one of the absolute masterpieces of Sicilian Baroque. Built in the eighteenth century following the earthquake of 1693 that transformed eastern Sicily, this residence represents the triumph of enlightened reconstruction: sumptuous façades, elaborate decorations, rooms that still breathe the prestige of the Biscari family and aristocratic Catania.
Visiting Palazzo Biscari means entering into dialogue with the city’s history. Each room, each fresco, each architectural detail speaks of a family that shaped the cultural and social destinies of Sicily. The palazzo is not merely a preserved monument: it is a living space, a privileged setting for cultural events and exclusive dinners that keep alive the tradition of refinement and hospitality.
Catania itself, surrounding Palazzo Biscari, offers an extraordinary cultural fabric. The city is an epicentre of a gastronomic renaissance that radiates towards Etna wines and restaurants of excellence. Ristorante Duomo, a few kilometres from the palazzo, represents this excellence: awarded by the 50 Top Italy guide 2026 for the best pastry proposal in Italian dining, it embodies the fusion between Sicilian tradition and contemporary research. The culinary experiences that unfold from Catania towards the volcanic hinterland are not peripheral: they are an integral part of a conscious visit to this land.
Etna, for those who wish for a day excursion from the Catania area, remains the pulsing heart of eastern Sicily. Wine estates on the volcanic slopes — such as Tenute Nicosia, included for the second consecutive year in Forbes Italia’s 100 Iconic Wineries guide — offer authentic experiences where wine and landscape dialogue in perfect symbiosis.
Palazzo Biscari represents the ideal starting point for a stay in Catania that is never superficial: a base from which to explore Baroque architecture, excellence in gastronomy and Sicily’s volcanic heritage, while always maintaining contact with the most authentic Sicilian civilitas.
